Speaking to Politico, Mr Blair said: “It’s a very open question whether the type of politics I represent really has had its day or not...

“There were times when I was growing up in politics and when I was prime minister when I had complete confidence in my own ability, just as a professional, to predict the course of politics. The last few years have caused me to question [that].”

He offered the success of Hillary Clinton in holding off the insurgent Mr Sanders to win the Democratic presidential nomination, however, as evidence that centrist solutions to concerns raised by globalisation were still possible.

“I'm re-evaluating the whole time but I haven't come to the conclusion that centrist politics is wrong or dead,” Mr Blair added.

“I think it's very much alive but it needs to be given a renewal, a revival, and a muscularity which it presently lacks.”

Contributions from readers

david-bentley_23308

12:07 on 29th August 2016

Blair may be right in that there is a need to re-galvanise centrist politics however maintaining such a stance long term is almost impossible as social , economic & political events both globally & at home leave influential scars on the electorate. Arguably occupying the middle ground can often be interpreted as sitting on the fence trying to please all of the people all of the time.
In time it's inevitable that the electorate and the government's ideology will result in a contrast of opinion regarding political action & ultimately a demand for change. In the end its just a numbers game regarding the views of those to the left & those to the right of centre. The majority always rules....